“Home is where the heart is”... this quote seemed to take on much more meaning this past year as we spent 90% of 

our time in our homes. It was a year of rearranging furniture, diy-ing to our hearts content, and a lot of online shopping. 

 

If the design bug bit you and you didn’t know where to start a safe bet is always neutrals. They are timeless, on trend, and just really good to look at. When incorportating such a monochromatic color palette it can be easy to end up in a sea of the same shade of brown. To combat that, add texture! Bring in natural woods, antiques in the same color palette, textured art, feathers, knitted wools, the opportunities are endless. One of our favorite ways to add interest to a space without breaking our backs is through the use of a bold light fixture. It draws your eye up and adds interest because of the way the light plays off everything else in the space. 

 

Where do you even start?! There's so many ways to create a gallery wall. You can do it like a grid and very structured (see photos #1-3) OR you can do it completely random (see photo #4t)! If you're wanting a random composition, we always love to start with an "anchor" piece (typically the biggest piece) and place it on the wall and then go from there! Then, make sure your next biggest piece is separate from the that piece. You want the wall to have balance so make sure the bigger pieces are spread out. Mix horizontals and verticals! This will make the gallery wall look a lot more interesting. Another good tip is not everything has to be art! You can do a canvas painting, then a framed piece, then a mirror, and the list goes on and on. Adding something personal to the wall is also a good idea. This is your home so adding a personal touch really makes it feel like your own. If you're doing a more structured gallery wall (top photo #1), doing it in a grid formation is always safe! This will help the wall look crisp, clean, and uniformed. Another good tip is laying everything out on the floor before hanging. This way you'll be able to see what it will look like before making all those holes in the wall! Try and keep about 3 inches between each piece on the wall so things to start to look too crowded. And last but not least, have fun with it!!! A gallery wall seems like such a scary process, but the end result is always so worth it! 

Which is better?! While both are great materials and function equally well, there are a few differences that might be able to help you answer this question. For example, granite is stone and 100% natural, whereas quartz is not 100% natural (95% ground natural quartz and 5% polymer resins). HGTV came up with five categories (appearance, price, environmentally-friendly, maintenance, and durability) to help you better compare the two. 

 

1. Appearance 

Quartz - One of the reasons quartz has become so popular is because of the appearance. It has the look of stone and is a much easier selection process compared to granite. 

Granite - Due to the way granite is formed, it comes in many different colors and patterns. There are endless amounts of granites to choose from so whether you're looking for something soft and subtle, or more of a pop and standout, there will definitely be many options for you! 

 

2. Price

Quartz - According to homeadviser.com the average cost of material plus install is about $1,500-$5,500. Price can vary depending on quality of quartz and style of edging. 

Granite - According to homeadviser.com the average cost of material plus install is about $2,000-$4,000. 

 

3. Environmentally-Friendly

Quartz - Since quartz is engineered, it can be a lot more environmentally-friendly as long as you use regionally manufactured stone and local fabricators! 

Granite - Since it is quarried and usually transported, granite uses a lot of energy! 

 

4. Maintenance 

Quartz - It is recommended to clean any spills with soap and water or mild household cleaner but that's about it when it comes to maintenance. 

Granite - Some oils/acids can stain and it is recommended that granite should be cleaned daily with soap and water or mild household cleaner.

 

5. Durability

Quartz - Quartz is even harder than granite which makes it even more durable and almost indestructible! 

Granite - Granite is very durable and is resistant to heat and other kitchen elements. 

Sometimes the best solution for an awkward table space, or even just for a different look, is a banquette! This type of seating is extremely family friendly and allows for many kids to pile on in. They're cozy and fun and most importantly they can look so pretty. Many people wonder where to even begin when creating this beautiful little nook and we're here to help! Since a standard table height is 30 inches, the perfect bench seat would sit at 18 inches. This allows a good foot clearance from the top of the bench to the bottom for the table. Additionally, the table should overlap the bench about 3-4 inches. The seating depth should be right around 18 inches and you should also allow about 21 inches of seating width per person. Also - if you're looking for more storage in your kitchen, providing drawers or doors underneath the banquette is a perfect use of otherwise wasted space! 

 

We have two banquettes currently in the works! Continue following our social media for more exciting details.